The federal government has announced another increase in petroleum product prices, raising the rates of petrol, high-speed diesel (HSD), and kerosene just hours before a nationwide petrol pump strike is expected to begin.
According to a notification issued by the government, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs. 4.93 per litre, taking the new price to Rs. 320.73 per litre. High-speed diesel (HSD) has become Rs. 7.15 per litre more expensive, with the revised price set at Rs. 367.21 per litre.
The government has also raised the price of kerosene oil by Rs. 6.78 per litre, bringing its new retail price to Rs. 289.37 per litre.
The revised prices came into effect on July 22 and are expected to increase transportation and logistics costs, which could further add to inflationary pressures across the country.
The price hike comes at a critical time as the All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has announced an indefinite nationwide closure of petrol pumps starting from 12:00 am, following the failure of negotiations with the Ministry of Petroleum.
In a video statement, the association’s General Secretary, Nauman Ali Butt, said petroleum dealers have rejected the government’s proposed daily fuel price adjustment mechanism, arguing that changing fuel prices every day would create operational difficulties and uncertainty for retailers.
He stated that talks with the ministry failed to produce an agreement, leaving the association with no option but to call a countrywide strike until their concerns are addressed.
If the strike proceeds as announced, motorists across Pakistan may face fuel shortages despite the government’s latest price revision.